For those of you interested, I managed to get out of 36 and into 37 with little to no scarring.  Which is saying alot considering all the things that managed to screw me over this past year.

Got some really nice presents…right up my alley.  Flowers from both of my best friends.  Roses from Dale, an Autumn arrangement from Kris.  “Its A Wonderful Life” (complete with a silver bell, so I can hear when an Angel gets its wings) from the kids, “Gone With The Wind” collectors set from Dale’s Mom (oh how I need a big ol’ dress and plantation I can call “Tara“) & a signed version of “The Lost Symbol” by Dan Brown.  Dale owns several 1st Ed. signed copies of books by one of his favorite authors, Jasper Fforde.  He loves his collection, and I have always wanted a signed ANYTHING, so this is really cool.

I have yet to indulge in my Carvel “Turkey” cake, seeing as how I’ve been miserable sick the last few days.  I think that we’ll consume that tomorrow as we decorate our Christmas tree and put up our lights.  My niece, Sylvia Nicole, will be here Tuesday and will stay for a solid week.  Followed by Henry, his mom & my Jenny for another week-long visit.  We do get a small break in-between their departure and Christmas.  Dale’s parents and my parents are coming up on the 26th, so that should be a hoot.

37 doesn’t look too bad.  I’m only hoping that 2010 treats me & my family better than 2009 did.

I must have walked under a ladder with an open umbrella stepping on a mirror and breaking it, all while Samantha (our resident black cat) walked in-front of my path.  And I’m sure there is Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition” playing in the distance.

Have you ever had a day that goes from bad to worse?  Try having one of those lifetimes.  I swear, one day someone is going to recognize the amazing fact that I’ve not managed to kill myself despite the crappy life that’s been handed to me.

So I’m running late this morning (what’s new?) thanks to the inept assistance I did NOT receive at Wake Med’s ER yesterday for the most heinous migraine that I’m still enduring.  After sitting there for almost 3 hours, we left and I figured I had enough drugs in the house to either kill off the migraine or kill myself off.  Either would suffice.

As you can tell, I am still alive this morning and the migraine still persists.

Wheee.

Anywho, like I stated, I woke up late.  Which is bad today because DC had a parent conference with Jake’s teacher (which we’ve already put off twice now) so we had to get a move-on.  I’m seriously considering fixing the fucking jeep that is occupying dead space in my driveway just to have an extra car to get around in.  (That’s a WHOLE OTHER POST).

And since I had the migraine from hell yesterday, I didn’t do any of my math homework OR work on the most magnificent and terrifying Anthropology take-home mid-term, compliments of Prof. Tom Beaman.  I am not afraid of it, since I can probably answer most of this shit in my sleep.  Its the other folks who are having a hard time with it and are looking to me for assistance since I am a Paleoanthropology major.

But driving in this morning on the 540, I hear this ominous FLUMP-FLUMP-FLUMP coming from the rear of the van and Dale looks at me, “Is that our car?”  To which I reply, “We’ve got a flat in the back” and I didn’t even have to look.  How’s that for being Ken Taylor’s car-repairing daughter?

Yep, flat as a fucking pancake rear driver’s side tire.  Big ol’ hunk-a-metal stuck in it.  Probably someone else’s rim.  So we schlump into the parking lot of my school, Dale whips out the phone and makes 2 calls:  1 to Jake’s teacher, apologizing yet again (she must think we’re tree sloths at this point) for not coming in to a scheduled conference and 1 to AAA.  Thank the maker that I had presence of mind to keep renewing that bad puppy. 

So he’s in the lot right now getting a tow to the tire shop.  I’m in the library working on said Anthro mid-term and now having to book it to History to listen to how awful we ALL did on HIS mid-term last week.

I’m hoping to step on sidewalk cracks, find another ladder to walk under.  I wish Samantha was here too.  She’d give added Halloween effect.

I’d anticipated the stork’s delivery 2 weeks prior…but alas…the little prince kinda liked his roost & was reluctant to abandon it…at all costs.  After several discussions with the Doc, the date of August 3rd was set.  But due to the full moon & since my delivery wasn’t exactly “medically necessary”, we got the old brush-off.

It wasn’t until late that evening I was called by an apologetic Dr. Grey, who promised I’d be able to gaze into a most heavenly set of eyes on Sunday, August 4th 2002.

Jake & I had already developed a rapport with each other the whole time he was cooking.  I would talk to him & he would resoundingly kick in response.  When I laughed, he would twitch as though he was chuckling right alongside his Mum.

It would be the last of my children.  Loved no more, loved no less.  But had his Mother’s sense of humor, sense of style and keen sense of impeccable timing (not to mention the incredible good looks).

And while his turning 7 makes me swell with pride…all the things he’s been able to accomplish in his short stint on the 3rd rock from the sun….its these same accomplishments that take him just a teensy step further away from being the baby he once was….totally dependent on Mom.  But in those same eyes that I gazed into on that sultry afternoon 7 years ago….I can see the amazing potential and brilliancy that will one day take him far beyond his Mother’s grasp.

Time and tide wait for no man or Mom for that matter.  Its bittersweet watching him grow and everyday has been a pleasure and a joy-ride.

Thank you, my Jake for all the laughs, for all the hugs, for all the kisses, for all the fun.  No matter how old you get…you’ll always be my baby boy…my Boo-Boo-Kitty.

Happy 7th Birthday Boo-Boo.

Eternally grateful and with undying love and support,
Mommy

I’ve come to a conclusion…as I approach what will be my 37th trip ’round the big old yellow ball in the sky…that every day is going to be SOMETHING.  Who knows?  Dunno.  But I will come up with an idea…let me keep writing.

There is method to my madness.  (Note to Peanut Gallery:  HUSH!  You know who you are)

Today I decided that it was Cuban Dinner Saturday.  So I did what I think I do best.  (Note to Kristin:  No…not THAT!)  I cook.  And any man who can attest to being able to hold my fancy for long, hasn’t remained thin whilst in said company.

So yes…Cuban Dinner Saturday.  Replete with picadillO (Carlos likes to make sure I am grammatically correct in my latin diction), congris, croquetas de jamon, yuca, plantanitos, cuban crackers y ensalada.  (And because for some strange reason…they, meaning most Cubans I’ve known, use correct Cuban terminology on everything…except crackers.  Why?  Dunno.)  We even had little plantain chips.  My Abuela would be very proud.

And probably happy cause she just got home from a cruise with my Abuelo, Tia Julie, Tio Juan, Pop & Mom.  So she wouldn’t have to cook.    I love my Abuela.

Dessert was Banana Creme Pie, courtesy of Marie Callendars (I miss living on the West Coast sometimes….I said some.)

Like I said…this coming November 25th will officially mark my 37th trip.  They seem to get closer & closer to one another each year.  Why is that?  Dunno.

And I ask, why is all the rum gone?  Because we indeed have lack of rum in said abode…and I just thought of the conversation I was having with Dale yesterday.  Why am I thinking of it today?  Dunno.  (Besides…I love it when Jack Sparrow says it.  ::SIGH::  Johnny Depp.  Who woulda thunk from 21 Jump Street to a Pirate.  Weird how the gears in life work out sometimes, right?)

I’m telling you…there IS method to my madness.  Yes, there is Kris…hush already.  Before I have to duct-tape you.  And I’m a Southerner so you KNOW its in my tool box.  And glove compartment.  And kitchen junk drawer.  And on my dresser.  And in the laundry room.  Yeah…I think that’s about it.

Its been an arduous year in the life of Me.  6 bouts of pneumonia, 2 surgical procedures, 4 hospital vacations, 10 hospital visits, probably about 100 meds filled and now 1 nasty case of bronchitis.  Did I mention the 2 near brushes with death?

Yeah…I’m a maverick.  And no, I’m not stealing it from the McCain ‘09 Campaign.  Just read along more & learn.

I’ve always lived each day to the satisfaction of someone else.  My mother.  My brother.  My sister.  My Dad.  My Pop.  The kids.  The ex.  Old bosses.  The mechanic.  Former In-Laws.  Friends.  Bill collectors.  You follow the wash.

Being the eldest in my household, and being the daughter of my parents…there came a certain level of responsibility & duty.  And while I shirked my share of it from time to time…I’ve always come back to toe the line.  And somewhere along the way….I lost that joie de vivre that made me unmistakably me.

And with all I’ve endured this year….I miss me.  And as Cache Seel just so eloquently put it, “Life sucks.  But the alternative is unacceptable”.  (Why yes, my dear Discovery Channel viewer friend, I AM watching Deadliest Catch right now, thanks for asking!)

So here I am….full circle.  Back to my original thought and main post (Yes…I have gone off on a tangent…no, don’t look at me like that).  I’m trying to make everyday SOMETHING.  Be it a meal.  A way to clean the house.  A music groove.  A movie marathon.  A channel watching.  Weather chasing.  Read a Blue Book.  An indoor picnic.  Whatever.

And since I’m still in a cooking mood…tomorrow is SOUTHERN FISH-FRY SUNDAY.  Yes…I realize I’ve done lots of fried shit this weekend.  I also drank Pabst reminiscing about my Dad, and stealing beers from him & my Grandpa & Uncle’s while they didn’t know I was doing it.  Did I mention I was like 4?  Yeah…I was cool even back then.  And I’m back on the yoga in the morning.  I promise. With my mother coming up here in a few weeks…I don’t need no shit about the size of my ass when she first walks through the door.  I still know who to be afraid of in this world.  And her initals are:  ETM (remember…she did marry Pop…and now she’s a Martinez)

I guess I’m sitting here cracking jokes & shit…but still trying to tell you dear reader, to make everyday memorable.

Even if it is just a bit silly to those around you, make everyday count.

…to my friend, my mentor, my father, my Boss.

Where you used to be, there is a hole in the world, which I find myself constantly walking around in the daytime, and falling in at night.

I miss you like hell.

OK, so things here in the hacienda aren’t back to the status quo.  DC is still unemployed (and I’m terrified about what will happen if he doesn’t procure employment & October gets here…that money runs out), and I’m waiting to hear back on my financial aid.  I filed about 5 days late because I was in the hospital…again.  And when I was sent my verification packet, I did all that & sent it in within the allotted time.

Having checked on my FA every day since about mid-June, I’ve got nothing.  Nada.  Zip.  Zilch.

Now…I’m panicking.  Fall ‘09 semester is rapidly approaching and I’ve got nothing to pay my classes with.  And the fact that I had to drop all my courses this past Spring, they’re being assholes.  They don’t know IF they’ll put a hold on my classes (which means I may lose cause this campus is now getting crowded) and IF they approve my FA, I’m going to have to pay out of pocket for the Spring & wait for a reimbursement once all the Fall grades post.

It doesn’t matter that I was on the Dean’s List, doesn’t matter that I was recommended for the honors program.  They’re just pissed that I dropped in Spring & they don’t care that I almost took the “long dirt nap”……twice.

Considerate of them to be so understanding, huh?

On the medical front, my MD is battling my health insurance for everything.  They don’t want to cover my reduction, they don’t want to cover a new MRI of my lower back, they didn’t cover my last visit to the PT (which I have to go see because its part of the recommendation process).

I will applaud myself because I haven’t been back in the hospital since May.  Which is wonderful.  Sad that I’m excited over that.

Otherwise, kids are back in school & loving it.  And my parents will be here sometime in August (which I am SERIOUSLY dreading).

That’s the update & I am out of here.

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UPDATE: Just received word from my FA counselor that they’re going to hold my classes & I should report to school on August 17th!!  AND the insurance thing is being looked into by the HR contact for Union Pacific.  WOOHOO!!  Maybe things ARE looking up!!

Since I don’t want to post about all the crappity-crap-crap going on in my life any longer (because it seems the more I bitch about it, the more it seems to pile up…seriously), I’m going to do one of them answer quiz things you find all over Facebook.

Yeah…I know….boring.  But the alternative is even worse.  So here we go.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

1.)  Seven states you’ve been to?
FL, CA, NV, NC, AZ, TX, LA

2.)  Six things you’ve done today.
put crap in the dryer, put in a load of laundry, got Jake dressed, brushed Lea’s hair, brushed Jake’s hair, logged into Facebook

3.)  Five favorite things in no order
my friends, my kids, history, facebook, my cell phone

4.)  Four people you last talked to
Mom, Pop, Bubba, DC

5.)  Three wishes?
for DC to find a good job, my FA to get approved TOTALLY, to feel better mentally

6.)  Two things you want to be when you grow up?
history professor, egyptian paleoanthropologist/archaeologist

7.)  Has anyone ever tried to ruin a relationship you were in?
Yes

8.)  This survey gets a little personal .. can you handle it?
Sure

9.)  When were you last picked up from the ground?
It has to be a while now.  I think it was when I fell on the floor in the garage.

10.)  When did you last go in a car with a boy/girl?
Yesterday.  Dale drove me to my PT appointment.

11.)  When were you on the phone last and with who?
The other day & it was with both my mom & pop

12.)  What are you excited for?
Well, I was excited for the upcoming school semester…but FA is being stupid.

13.)  Are you scared to fall in love?
Nope.

14.)  How fast does your mood change?
Too quickly.

15.)  I bet you miss someone today?
I do.

16.)  Can you honestly say you’re okay right now?
If by OK you mean, being broke, having only 1 car that works currently, not knowing when my FA will get approved, wondering how much longer it’ll be before DC finds a new job…then yes, I’m OK.

17.)  What were you doing at 4am?
I think I got up to get a drink.

18.)  Where do you live?
Raleigh, NC.

19.)  What do you drive?
A 2000 Nissan Quest

20.)  Are you a jealous person?
Nope.  I feel you can do what you want.  Its your life & you’ll have to live with the repercussions of your actions.

21.)  What are you listening to?
The ending credit music to Harry Potter.

22.)  Would you go in public looking like you do right now?
Yeah, but I’m pretty sure I’d get arrested, since I don’t have any pants on.

23.)  Is there someone in your life that can always make you smile?
My kids.

24.)  What’s something you really want right now?
More than I want to go back to school, I want DC to get a job.  I feel better when he feels better.  And right now we’re both caught in a vicious cycle of making the other feel worse.

25.)  Are you slowly drifting away from someone?
Yes & no.

26.)  Do you believe everyone deserves a second chance?
Depends on my mood.

27.)  When is the last time you saw your sister(s)?
Like 5 years now?  We don’t see one another because she lives in Miami.  But she’s also dating an incredible butthead, so even if I WERE in Miami, I wouldn’t see her.

28.)  Do you know anyone with the same birthday as you?
Oh yeah!  Famous:  Joltin’ Joe DiMaggio.  Non-famous:  Todd, my niece Amber & my great-nephew Julian.

29.)  Where did you get the shirt you’re wearing right now?
Old Navy.  That’s where I get most of the shit I wear.

30.)  What are you doing this week?
Being depressed, playing Sims, trying to clean the house, go bitch to Sprint

31.)  Do you put ketchup on top of your french fries or on the side?
On the side.

32.)  How many 20 dollar bills do you have on you right now?
None.

33.)  How is your relationship with your mother?
Dysfunctional is a good term for our relationship.  Tense is another good way to describe our relationship.

34.)  Does anybody hate you?
Not that I know of.

35.)  Ever been out past your curfew?
I was known to ALWAYS bust my curfew. 

36.)  Anyone of the opposite sex been on your mind lately?
Yep.  But not in that sex/love way.  Cause I’ve been thinking about my Bubba

37.)  Are you nice to everyone?
I try to be.

38.)  Do you like funny people or serious people?
Both.

39.)  What is your biggest regret?
I’m going to plead the 5th on this one.

40.)  Would you ever date someone who was gorgeous but they had a conceited attitude?
Nope.

41.)  Expecting something to change in the next month?
I’m hoping something will change, but I’m not holding my breath.

42.)  Yesterday night, what did you do?
Pretty much cried myself to sleep.

43.)  What is your favorite color?
Black…it matches my mood.

44.)  If you were kicked out of your current residence whom would you call?
My mother….unfortunately.

Everything in life is cyclical.  Its a proven fact.  Climate change, religion, fashion, etc.

So here I sit.  On the eve of my children’s first “OFFICIAL”  concert, it takes me back to my old high school days.  Billy Idol, Whitesnake, Bad Company, Right Said Fred (yes…I actually went to that one, I am ashamed to say…and some of my Face Booking friends did too…LOL!), The Monkees, Weird Al Yankovic, Wham! (another of those WTF moments now that I’m older…), Chicago & Zeppelin (which I don’t actually remember, since I was an infant at the time…proof positive that my mother & father are both morons) & not to mention countless others that have come between infancy & now.

And tomorrow the kids will be introduced to something far cooler than Wham!;  That was my first REAL concert I did, that I really, really, REALLY wanted to go to & desperately tried to win tickets from Y-100 for days on end…only to find out that my mother got the tickets for us to go with Dale (not DC, but my other Dale friend) at Bobby Maduro Stadium.

While I was as happy as a june-bug to see Katrina & The Waves along with Wham!, I’ll admit…I’m a far cooler Mom than my own mother (and there are countless of you out there who can attest to this theory!)

Living in Raleigh not only gave us the opportunity to live in one of the most historic parts of the United States (13 colonies ROCK!), its greatly improved the children’s educations (and lets face it…you can get a better education reading billboards along the interstate than you can in most Southern California school systems), it will help with their future schooling (as we have some of the BEST colleges all conveniently located within like, 30 minutes of one another!), they also offer a wicked, FREE concert series in the summer down at Moore Square Park.

Now I know that there will be like TONS of people there & its supposed to be about a million degrees, but that will not deter me on my quest to educate my children in the School of Rock-n-Roll.  (See…I’m a COOL MOM)

While they will be introduced to some local bands & such, which is always a good thing because EVERYONE should have a diversified musical profile, the headliner is none other than Joan Jett & The Blackhearts.  Yes, they will be rocking out to “I Love Rock N’ Roll”,  “Crimson and Clover”, “I Hate Myself for Loving You” & “Bad Reputation”, just to name a few.  The kids have been rocking out to “Bad Reputation” since its on Rock Band & cannot WAIT to experience it all LIVE & IN PERSON.

It’s kinda cool, watching my progeny follow in my footsteps.  And tomorrow, they will come out tired, sunburned & hopefully extremely satisfied.

LONG LIVE ROCK-N-ROLL!!

July 4th is right around the corner and I’ve never been more depressed or upset.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m pretty much the most patriotic person I know, with Presidential legacies and all.

And usually on July 4th, since moving to Raleigh, we’ve spent the 4th at a Carolina Mudcats game, celebrating America’s greatest game (that’s debatable…at least on my part), but hot dogs, sodas, ice cream, patriotic music & fireworks.

But this year, since the pool opening party here in Hedingham wasn’t on Memorial Day weekend like it was supposed to…the Board decided to move the party to the 4th.

While I’ve done an event without The Boss…this will be one of my BIG events without The Boss.  And holy hell…do I feel lost.

How many trays of baked beans?  How many of green beans?  Do I do potato salad or cole slaw?  Pudding?  Fresh fruit?  What about the chicken?  And I know I can’t forget the hot dogs.  I did bring back the sno-cones, though.  And NO GRILLING (even though I really, really want to…)

Why did you leave me and not give me any notes on this shit?  All you ever said was, “you do your part & I’ll do mine”.  Well hell, that shit doesn’t help me now.  What do I know of setting the racks?  I mean…I know Lou will be there…but he’s not you.  And as much as I love him….and as much of a help he’ll be….its not you.

I have put this off till the last minute…I know, I know, I KNOW!!  And I’m so at a loss.  I’ll start tomorrow…I promise.

And just for the record…I still miss the arguing.

What, you thought I was being mysterious?  You should know better.  I was being quite literal.

The house has been completely rearranged.  Why?  Because I am an enigma wrapped in a straight-jacket.  Seriously.

We have impending visits coming up….Auntie Kristin will be here Wednesday.  And the Male Parental Unit will be here in 2 weeks.  Thus, being the southern woman that I am…the house has to be immaculate.

Yes, even though I’m sicker than shit.  Which is what I am this morning, for some ungodly reason.

Right now the house is a bee-hive of excitement, everyone working on some chore or another.  Claudia is currently cleaning the bathroom (theirs) and will be cleaning the kitchen immediately there after (or I will be forced to kill her).

Gabe is working on his laundry…which is fun in itself to watch.  The boy will never get a job in a laundromat.

Lea is in the process of cleaning out her rabbit cage while Pop is cleaning the garage and doing my bird-cage.

Jake….he’s still trying to finish his breakfast.  He’ll do anything to get out of doing chores.

The only things left are to run the vacuum cleaner, sweep & mop floors and clean the ceiling fans & AC vents.

Yes, when folks come to visit…I clean like a mad woman…which is what I am.

I had planned on going to the pool today, since the temps should be near 90, but feeling as sick as I do…I think I’ll use my “get out of jail free” card.  I feel like doo-doo.  I think I woke up about 2:30AM with a horrible stomach ache and haven’t been back to sleep since.

Since I feel like the Queen of the Damned (and being the mother of 4 willfull, disobedient morons…I think I qualify HIGHLY) and am sicker than all jeebus, I think since I worked my ass off yesterday cleaning my room & the livingroom…I deserve the day off.  I think I’ll sit in bed, getting in my daily fix (Facebook is sooooooooooo addicting) and possibly taking in some of my favorite HBO show “TrueBlood” (good God, I love all them Vampires…especially Eric the Viking).

I hope you are having a better day than I am.  Until later on…..live long & prosper.  (That was just for DC).

Oh & yeah….them’s MY photographic skills going on in that there photo.  You can say it…I’m cool.